The Golden Square Syndicate brings together the most influential merchant guilds in the known world. It originated in the Py Empire and controls trade flows across the Five Territories.
The Syndicate primarily deals in artifacts, elixirs, and amber, which it sells to the highest bidder. Some guilds specialize in selling elixirs with psychotropic effects, in gambling, and in carnal pleasures. The Syndicate thus works with Tekiya (peddlers or street vendors), shopkeepers, and Yūjo (women of pleasure). Depending on the city, it also partners with Bakuto—professional gamblers and bettors—and notably organizes clandestine Hinnin combat tournaments.
Some syndicate members test new elixirs—primarily sourced from the physicians’ guild—on themselves or on animals. Once they possess the formula, they take charge of manufacturing and distribution.

As a result of these experiments, two new species have emerged:
The hinnin, a laboratory animal.
The eta, a human who has undergone physical transformations as a result of testing the elixirs.

The syndicate’s hierarchy is headed by a clan leader in each city, the Oyabun. He acts as a father figure and offers protection to every member. Financial and legal matters are entrusted to a Saiko-Komon (administrator), assisted by his Kaikei (accountant) and Shingiin (legal advisor). Trafficking operations are managed by the Wakagashira and Shateigashira (first and second lieutenants, respectively), who coordinate on-the-ground activities through the Kyodai (big brother) and Shatei (little brother).

Ichiro, the Oyabun of Cæris, strictly adheres to the code of honor to prevent any misconduct. It is therefore not uncommon to encounter merchants missing a few fingers— , a sign of their past mistakes . Ichiro was one of the most most remarkable. Upon arriving in Cæris, he had the idea of asserting his dominance over the city’s merchant families by creating the House of Games. A place where one can wager money or any other possession against any citizen and walk away richer if luck is on your side. For the most daring or the most influential, on the second floor, it is possible to win or lose everything—even one’s life. And so, during a game of karuta, Ichiro secured his supremacy over all the merchants of Cæris.
The members of his clan like to believe that a certain number brings them luck and guides their actions, just as their Oyabun did in the past—a sort of lucky number.

Like a spider, the union weaves its web around and within Cæris. Few manage to escape it.